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Stay connected to high school sports: Become an official

In most areas, high school officials are retiring faster than new officials are being added.

They don't make the headlines, their names are not in the box scores and they don't make the all-star teams, but some of the most important individuals in high school sports are the contest officials.

These individuals are so important that, in fact, there would be no organized competitive sports at the high school level without the men and women who officiate these contests every day across the country. Subtract the dedicated men and women who officiate, high school sports and competitive sports would no longer be organized; they would be chaotic.

In most areas, high school officials are retiring faster than new officials are being added. And junior varsity, freshmen and middle school games are being postponed — or even cancelled — because there are not enough men and women to officiate them.

Anyone looking for a unique way to contribute to the local community should consider becoming a certified high school official. For individuals who played sports in high school, officiating is a great way to stay close to the sport after their playing days have ended. Officiating helps people stay in shape, expands their social and professional network and offers part-time work that is flexible, yet pays.

In fact, officiating is a form of community service, but with compensation.

Another benefit of officiating is that individuals become role models so that teenagers in the community can learn the life lessons that high school sports teach. Students learn to respect their opponents and the rules of the game and the importance of practicing good sportsmanship thanks, in part, to those men and women who officiate.

And the objectivity and integrity that high school officials display is an example that every young person needs to observe firsthand.